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A judge has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.